The Queen Esther’s Story
After 12 months of the royal purification exercise conducted by the King’s keeper of women in the palace, more than seven virgins were presented to King Ahasuerus, all paraded in royal apparel. They had all passed through the same regime, dressings and preparation; decorated with myrrh and sweet odours and all other materials for purifying women before they are presented to the king. When Esther was brought before the King, she was favoured, not only in the eyes of the king, but everyone that saw her felt drawn to her. “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her” (Esther 2:15).
At that point, I see the story of Esther centred on favour, the supernatural act to favour a young virgin, enthrone her in order to save the Jews, a generation that had been enslaved, living in fear and trepidation. The king automatically fell in love with Esther and made her to sit on the seat from which Queen Vashti was dethroned. “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.” (Esther 2:17).
In Esther’s perspective of walking with God, favour gave birth to grace and mercy. This led to the deliverance of the Jews. The elevation of Esther served as a precursor to the celebration of a new dispensation in the history of the Jews, especially during the era of King Ahasuerus.
By the words of Billy Graham “The motive of grace is the infinite, compassionate love of a merciful God, but the work of grace was the death of Christ on the cross.” You can only experience mercy and favour by the grace of God, which has been made available through the death of Jesus on the cross. You and I are now able to access the infinite love of God and draw the abilities to live for Him and the time to do that is now, and not in the future. Esther took the bull by the horn, paraded herself before the king, and she obtained grace and favour.
Prayer
Dear Father, please grant us grace for boldness and courage to step out into your plans for us today to fulfill your agenda for us in our generation.
